letting go

For me this has been a season of learning to let go.  I've never been the person to necessarily want to live the "American dream" type of life but I've always had a picture in my mind of what I thought my life would look like.  When I first moved to Haiti my plan was to be here for one year.  God quickly made it clear to me that I would be here much longer.  I still felt "safe" with being here though because I had just enough ties connecting me to my old life in Indiana.  I still owned my house, car, and had plastic bins filled with things.  To me having all this "stuff" meant that eventually God would call me back to Indiana.  Back to that old life of living near my family and friends.  And maybe even more importantly to me, back to the life where I was physically, financially, and emotionally comfortable.  

Before moving to Haiti I read about poverty, knew the statistics, saw the pictures, and watched the news segments.  I had the head knowledge I thought I would need but my heart was so unprepared for what it truly meant to walk alongside those that I was called to serve.  I think part of me thought I would come here to help and to do the needed tasks.  Sure I would hold some cute babies in the process and maybe even learn some things culturally.  I knew it would be difficult but I didn't realize how much I would fall in love with those around me.  How much my heart would hurt for them.  They have become my family and friends so they are no longer just statistics to me or photos of random people.  Knowing them allows me to rejoice with them over baptisms, birthdays, and just normal everyday life.  Knowing them also means that I have an inside window into their hurt and struggles.  I have the opportunity to walk with them when life isn't easy and there appears to be no clear answers.  

Living here has changed me.  In so many ways I wish I could go back to my life before I moved to Haiti.  I wish I could fit back into life in the States but for at least now I know I can't.  I have realized that there was no way God was going to release my heart to leave Haiti in September as I had planned. In April I started to realize that God was also calling me to let go of the things that were "tying" me down to my old life in Indiana (more to come on this another time) and that He was preparing me for committing to another year of living in Haiti.  I'm surprised at how hard it has been to let go of the "things" and yet with each step I take it is both emotionally and physically freeing. 

I am now committed to serving with NVM in Haiti through September 2014.  As I prepare for my third year of serving in Haiti below are ways for you to remain connected and to continue to partner with me.  

*Prayer- I believe that it is only through God's call and prayer that I am able to live and serve here in Haiti.  I can't thank you enough for praying for me, the ministry I work for, and the people of Haiti.  

*Monthly support- to donate online http://www.nehemiahvisionministries.org/donationtype.aspx?t=missionaries and follow the steps.  Or you can go to www.nehemiahvisionministries.org and click (top left screen)  donate now and then select "missionary support" from here you will be able to select my name and fill in the remainder of the information.  You can also donate monthly by mailing a check to Debra Smalley (address in One-time gift).  Let me know if you have any questions!

*One-time gift- Please write all checks to Nehemiah Vision Ministries (tax deductible).  In the memo line write Intern 3 (my name can NOT be anywhere on the check) and mail to Debra Smalley 7014 W. Yant St., Silver Lake, IN.  46982.  To make a one-time gift online please follow instructions listed in "monthly support"- you will be able to select one-time gift.  

*Staying connected- For pictures and stories you can follow along through facebook and this blog.  Feel free to email me at brookes_00@yahoo.com for questions or to say hi!

I can't tell you just how much it means to me to know that you are on this journey with me- thank you for your prayers, support, and love as I continue to live and serve in Haiti!